Social Circuit, May 12, 2010

Peter McCausland, chair of the Independence Seaport Museum, and his wife, Bonnie, hosted the museum's 50th anniversary cocktail benefit, held April 22 at the museum. Founded in 1960 by Welles J. Henderson, the museum began in one room at the Athenaeum of Philadelphia. After a move to 321 Chestnut St., the museum opened in 1995 at its current site on Penn's Landing. The party for 450 guests featured fireworks, a gun salute from the cruiser Olympia, and the opening of its anniversary exhibit, featuring highlights of the museum's collection displayed for the first time. The benefit raised $75,000 for the museum.

The Fairmount Park Conservancy's annual benefit dinner, held April 21 at the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center, marked the reopening of the center as an event space. Closed to public and private functions since 2005, the center will undergo $300,000 worth of capital improvements that will be managed by the conservancy and the city's Department of Parks and Recreation. A contribution from Edith R. Dixon, widow of Fitz Eugene Dixon Jr., will allow the renovation project to begin in the fall. Dixon and John K. Binswanger, Fairmount Park Conservancy board chairman, received the conservancy's Centennial Award. The evening, attended by 450 guests, including Chris Matthews of NBC, grossed $420,000 for the conservancy.

Elwyn held its 30th Anniversary Friends of Elwyn Ball Friday at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. More than 500 guests enjoyed a dinner of seared filet of beef and roasted Chilean sea bass, and dancing to the Jack Faulkner Orchestra. Jayne and Walter Garrison donated two pearl necklaces for the live auction, which sold for a total of $5,500. The benefit raised nearly $340,000 for the Media-based nonprofit. Elwyn, founded in 1852, provides services ranging from preschool education to assisted living for children and adults with developmental and behavioral disabilities.

Eliana Papadakis received the Woman One Award from Drexel University College of Medicine's Institute for Women's Health and Leadership April 19 at the Rittenhouse Hotel. More than 225 people attended the ceremony and cocktail reception, which was hosted by the institute's director, Lynn Yeakel. The event raised more than $200,000 to provide medical scholarships to talented minority women attending Drexel University College of Medicine.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia held its second annual Shining Stars Gala April 17 at the Academy of Natural Sciences. The event showcased the organization's nine finalists for Youth of the Year. Martisha Hardy was named the overall winner of the 2010 contest, representing Philadelphia April 26 at the statewide competition in Harrisburg. John Yoak was named 2010 Male Youth of the Year. The gala for 160 guests, which also honored Boys & Girls Clubs alumni Bob Kelly of CBS3 and city Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller, raised more than $100,000.